Sun Nov 03 07:45:02 UTC 2024: ## McSweeney Impresses Healy, Poised for Test Debut and Captaincy: Australian Legend
**NEW DELHI:** Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy is impressed with the performance of Nathan McSweeney in the first innings against India A, believing the 25-year-old has a strong chance of leading the national team at the Test level one day.
McSweeney’s 39 runs off 131 balls, the highest individual score in Australia A’s first innings total of 195, has convinced Healy that he is the most ready candidate for a Test spot, ahead of the likes of Harris, Kounstas, and Bancroft, all of whom failed to score.
“I was happy that people saw how Nathan McSweeney could bat yesterday, he played his shots to improve the situation. I knew about him because he’s from my club, and the Australian selectors know about him because he has recently played this sort of cricket for South Australia and has done very well,” Healy said.
“He showed that at 25 years of age, he’s the most ready out of the four. The tried and tested Bancroft and Harris are a little bit older, and Kounstas is a little bit younger. He’s the most ready based on this performance.”
Healy was particularly impressed by McSweeney’s composure and leadership, both for South Australia and Australia A, and sees him as a potential future captain for Australia.
“Yeah, I think (I think he’s a future Australian captain),” Healy said.
“His answers in the media in Mackay were impressive, he had to answer sensitive questions about himself and the batting conundrum, and he was brilliant. He’s honest, well-thought-out and keen to get better. If he doesn’t get picked, no worries, he’ll keep trying to get better.”
“I agree with him, they’ve made him captain of a few of these teams now, the selectors think he’s captaincy material, and I agree with that. So I think that guy should be in the team soon,” Healy added.
McSweeney’s name has been in the conversation for a place in Australia’s Test team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India. His impressive performance in Mackay has only solidified his claim for a national call-up.
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